SC: The Demise of the Western World

There's a revolution in governance.  As globalization procedes, any claim by one nation that its ways amd rules and regulations apply to all within its sphere of domain no longer is legitimate.  No one nation can impose its dictates upon any other, any longer.  The day of one country's controlling other countries so as to promote its own interests is over.

What the prime mover away from Empire-building is the effectiveness of communication networks around the globe.  These networks, e.g., those over the Internet, bring about a social cohesion of indigenous peoples, who would otherwise be oppressed by a (usually) neighboring, technologically advanced country.  Instead of imposing its will upon countries around it, each major power joins with countries of lower GDP and less technological advancement in its region.  The catalyst to form a regional unit is the enormous volume of computer interactions among those countries in a particular geograghical area, especially through the use of e-mail..

1.  Regional Dominant Nations

Luckily for the analyst of this immediate communications resultant phenomenon, the dominant states of the various regions are very obvious.  Indeed, most have insinuated themselves into the international member clique known as the G20.  At one time, the G20 was only the G7 then the G8; but other powerful countries have emerged and joined to form the now, G20.  This group takes up sundry monetary and economic issues having international import.  They also adopt rules and regulations governing big business transactions worldwide.

President Obama has urged that its membership nations accept greater responsiblity in world
governance. Indeed, through NATO, an alliance composed in part of Great Britain, Italy and France, Libya is undergoing radical governmental change.  NATO sought endorsement from the Arab League, because it is interfering within the Arab world. The idea Obama is expostulating is that current magnate countries take the leadership role in determining an evolving New World Order.

Let's just mention some of these regional giants or magnates.

1.  Russia, the regional dominant nation to the North, whose region encompasses countries that form the Russian Federation of Independent States (or, simply, the Russian Federation).  Its governing principle is symbolized in the reverence it displays (and promulgates regionally) for past religious figures and distinguished Czars and political leaders, including Lenin and Marx.  In Russian philosophy, the past is the direction for a glorious future.  Indeed, it is said that Putin reveres the memory of Czar Nicholas I.

As dominant nation, Russia sets an example to the other states in the Federation in trade and commerce, viz., in selling oil and gas to European nations.  The idea is to encourage other member states to reach out in exporting.

2.  Presently, China is drawing together members in its region--which will probably come to include most of Asia as far south as East Timor, which is presently receiving aid.  Japan, the Koreas (though for now, limited to supporting N. Korea), Tibet and various islands in the Pacific Rim comprise China's area of dominence.  China offers a unique way of thinking and acting, sometimes referred to as "The Asian Mind."  This principle, evolving through ancient scripts, differs from Western logic, and predates recorded history.  Its gestalt is that of the whole human being, as participant in the cosmic dynamics of yin and yang.   As China becomes the dominant force in Asia, the Asian mode of thought will no doubt become the special contribution of the region in the development of mankind.

It is no longer possible to consider Japan as a dominant nation in Asia.  The update regarding the effects of the nuclear power plants explosions upon the environment discussed on the program Coast to Coast last night only confirm reports I have received that the country is a nuclear disaster, including the capital of Tokyo.  It will be years before the radiation is dissipated, according to what I've come to know about the radiation's  permeating the soil.  As I understand it, the Japanese government is only monitoring the sky and air to determine the effects.  But according to what I hear, the ground is adversely affected many times more; not to mention the effects on sea-life, including the salmon.  If I were in Japan now, I would make plans to leave the country immediately.  There's no point to endangering oneself with the prospect of cancer (or, if I were younger, with the possibility of becoming sterile) simply for  sentimental reasons.  I WOULD GET OUT WHILE I COULD; BEFORE THE RUSH TO LEAVE BECOMES APPARENT.   Already I understand parents who can afford to are sending their kids out of the country, e.g., to Australia; Peru.  According to the update, the Japanese simply won't talk about the threats to their health among themselves.  They are not facing reality, to my mind.

Pakistan, though currently looking to China for guidance and succor, will probably join yet another region of nations, one associated with the practices and beliefs of Islam.

3.  The Moslem League  led primarily by the Saudis (of Saudi Arabia), who oversee the sacred lands of Islam, are cojoined with Iran, Egypt, and Turkey to claim leadership of the Moslem countries in the Middle East--which includes Syria, Jordan, Afghanistan, Palestine, Tunisia, Libya, Iraq, Bachrain, the Emirates and Dubai.  Far off Indonesia is nevertheless a vital member of this grouping.  While oil is the primary commodity the region is known for, distributed through its cartel OPEC, it is resource-rich in a number of minerals.  Currently, Islam is enjoying a renaissance, which makes this region even more prominent in world affairs; and it is the identifying motify for the region, viz., allegiance to the Muslim faith.

4. Brazil has virtually seized a dominant leadership role in all of South America!  Compare its dominance with the posture of  neighbor Argentina.  The latter country prefers to imitate a European style of living while the former attempts to define a virtual South American continent culture as the region's contribution to the world.  Toward this end, Brazil acts to unite the continent through its efforts at mediation among disputant nations, and is a model for the region's nations by developing its own resources, especially through offshore drilling for international consumption.  Brazil, over the years has been a leader in the use of ethanol from sugar products.

5.Germany has dramtically forged ahead in developing the European Union with its European Central Bank.  It has secured a loyal band of European financiers to back its effort.  Without this dynamic aggressive policy, I believe the EU would still be a languishing dream of the several states, who for their own part have been bent on pursuing their own individual ways at the expense of economic stability.  Despite a slight downturn in its economy, Germany has not succumb to enforcing austerity measures, though it has attempted to curb its unions' aggressive posture in pursuing gains for their members.

6. The United States is by far the world leader among nations.  This point is proved by the amount of treasury notes the country has been able to sell to investors worldwide, desirous to secure their portfolios in the topsy-turvey stock- and bond- markets.  Despite the fact that its economy has only slightly improved, it has not fallen prey to a downward trend as in European, African, and now even Asian markets.  Of course, China is closely aligned with the US; and together they stabilize the world's international trade.  Banking regulation is stilll the major problem in the US, and the unemployment rate is of major concern, despite the fact that many countries have much greater unemployment.  The European banks, in contradistinction, are in much worse shape!

The region of US dominance is circumscribed in NAFTA as Canada and Mexico and of course, the US.  If free trade agreements are ratified by the US Senate, the region will also include formally Panama and extend to South America's Colombia.  Yet in surrendering the Panama Canal and in lessening involvement in Colombia's war on drugs, the US has become a weaker influence in the affairs of Central and South America.  Whether the States could again assert itself in these areas is uncertain, because of a coalescing of area groups, such as a Carribean Alliance, howbeit at this stage only informally organized by Jamaica; and the very cohesive South American Alliance of nations under Brazilian dominance.

Be it clear that it is the US military which is distinctive in molding US foreign policy and international governing policy.  With the military's bases of some 740 in 170 countries, the military offers the world a stability and security enabling corporations and business to effectively operate around the globe.  True, the US military budget is large; but international business would be severely hampered if the US military's presence were to be curtailed.  To my mind, the project of international globalization would fail without the US military's prominence around the globe. 
   
7.  The Union of South Africa  is yet to become the leader of nations in Africa, though it offers great promise because of the foreign investments it is able to command.  It has a stability in the region which other countries seek to emulate; and it continues to systematically develop its natural resources for international trade.  However, the AIDs problem is draining the country's will to lead other African nations, I believe.  Still, it serves as a model of others on the continent to develop sound economic policies domesticallly.

Nigeria prospective.  I've spoken with Nigeria reps recently.  The country appears interested to become the dominant nation for the continent.  I think they'd do an outstanding job, providing, as I told them, they calm down and quit their in-fighting!  And, of course, they're rich in resources, including oil.

As you might discern, the concept of regionalism is new, brought about by the fact that more and more nations are entering the arena through local and regional communication networks to claim regional control, making it hard for any one nation to assert itself as an Empire leader.

2. Outsourcing

Another factor that has contributed to the Western World's demise is outsourcing.  Once upon a time, a company could protect its trade secrets from piracy by retaining trusted employees over their years of service.  These were entrusted with the knowledge of how the company actually made its products.  Not on the computer but in the minds of these technical wizards the true 'patents' were known.  I think the corporations with military contracts were adept at using this method.  But no longer can a company deploy it with a high degree of confidence, because today employees change jobs very frequently, enticed by the company's competitors. 

Add to this uncertainty of results is an innate universal force of the 'have not' nations to pressure the 'have' nations to equalize the economic playing field by offering jobs, building factories and generally, extending economic opportunities to the 'have nots'; or risk violence and mayhem worldwide.  In the early 1990's, the threat was seemed very real; and the advanced nations did appear to take it seriously.  Through outsourcing, the means whereby less advanced nations produce goods internationally shared yet under the control of corporations based in the developed countries, this problem appears to have been solved.  Be it recognized that international corporations cannot locate corporate headquarters in the less advanced countries lest they lose critical support from the leading nations.

China, for one, has been engaged in copying products made by the technologically advanced nations.  (It's natural for any less advanced nation to do so.)  However, outsourcing makes it more problematic that a technologically less advanced nation can be successful in reproducing all the receipe items and component parts that go into the products of the mega-corporation.  In seeming retaliation, China has come to insist in some cases that a company who does business in China must locate relevant research and development functions on China soil.

Recently, the EU in a position paper has reaffirmed outsourcing, which it says was begun in Europe.   Clearly, the method is here to stay to function as a corporate bulwark against piracy and as a corporate marketing means to ingragiate itself with governments abroad, where it wants to do business.

3.  Ecological And Generally Accepted International Rules Compliance 

Under the Western World concept, the giant powers had things "their way" with countries that they dominated.  If, for instance, the British steel companies wanted to pollute the water and air beyond its border. the English government insisted the foreigners consider it their peroragative to do so. After all, these companies were in control, having invested capital in economic development of the less technologically advanced.   Why, these capitalists were doing the 'baclward' countries a favor by entering into contractual relations with them!

Having advanced to become a major world power, initially China operated under the Western model--thinking that it was now its turn to pollute the atmosphere as it would seem fit.  It would not pay attention to any denunciations that other nations and even the United Nations might make regarding their lack of concern for the harm they would do to the ecological system worldwide.  But actually, China has become a leader in the ecological, green earth movement.  It is the leader in producing solar panels, for instance.  It is looking to make use of its garbage as fuel to produce electricity and as the 'raw material' in the manufacture of fabrics. And, its leaders appear far-sighted in recognizing the need to look for ecologically-friendly methods in burning coal for energy and in planning a city for humans to live comfortably.  

In sum, by relying upon science to planning for the future of the human race on earth and in employing scientific technocrats in business, industry and government, virtually all nations of the world are committed to the green earth movement, including Russia, Brazil, and of course, the United States. As the dominat nations fashion a New World Order, ecological concern drives worldwide edicts and principles for which they stand, e.g., each committed to developing alternative sources of energy in order to lessen carbon monoxide emissions.

Along with the project to fashion and maintain a green-earth environment has come the recognition that there must be established bodies and commissions to oversee the manifold business, trade and governmental transactions.  Specifically, these new institutions function in accord with rules and regulations, agreed to generally, i.e., by the member nations which are engaged in the particular international activity. For example, at least one intitution exists to regulate the harvesting of fish in international waters, and at least another to regulate the use of international waterways; and still another to regulate the use of the skies for travel and communication.  Then too, investment transactions are coming under scrutiny and regulation through such international organizations as the G20.  The point--no longer is free wheeling and dealing  permitted by any nation; all international activities are subject to regulation and control by appropriate institutions established and maintained through the cooperation of the nations involved.  Importantly, each of these institutions usually has an adjudication arm or function to impose sanctions upon nations found in noncompliance of particular rules.  For example, an international naval court ensures that worldwide standards for the use of maritime waterways are being adhered to by the member nations; an adjudicating body in the WTO settles disputes over trade practices.

In this way, agreed upon standards pertaining to all aspects of trade, industry, and governmental policy are coming under scrutiny and control of the those who live on this planet with the end in view of making justice and fairness an international goal for the sake of preserving the planet--its resources and enjoyments.

The Social Change Wrought

Thus, the Western World, dating back to ancient Greek and Roman times, is a thing of the past.  Rapid communication among those involved in some transactional activity denies any one nation the right to become an Empire. 

Meta-Elements of the Demise

1.  The promise.  Nations can learn from each other how to join the international community of nations.  As partners, each nation will develop into an independent state with helpers when they call for it! Moreover, they will each contribute to the well-being of the others of the community.

2.  The dominant nations.  This community has accepted certain members of the group as its leaders to bring along the others, principally, those within their geographical locations.

3.  Development of the commuity of nations.   Through commissions and multi-institutions, nations will participate in world governance.  Member states make the rules and regulations governing trade and commerce and use of natural resources.  These bodies include a functional judicial organ to assure compliance.

4.  Provision for system breakdown.  In that international transactions are governed by appropriate institutions, the member states, who drew up the rules and regulations being enforced, should adhere to the edicts rendered down by these institutions, and they could be sanctioned if found in non-compliance.

5.  Vision of things to come.   The system's objective is to secure peace in the world among nations with differing points of view and purposes.  In the end, justice is to prevail as the system's hallmark.  And, from each nation's standpoint, independence from each other shall be maintained through the actions of appointed institutions, tribunals and commissions.

SC: Harassing Austerity Programs Lead to Anarchy

 Politicians by nature promise more than they can deliver.  When the promises involve finances in the form of new programs, they frequently offer benefits beyond what the country can actually afford.  It's natural to do so; and happens all the time.

Confronted subsequently with deficits, the first line of attack that politicians use is the budget cut-back, i.e. program (including payroll) slashing. We find state governments use this method with good results; spending is kept in check.

But debts can mount overtime after one federal administration succeeds another.  Unforeseen catastrophes intervene adding to the mounting deficits.  So, how should these politicians deal with an ever-increasing debt that at some time or other, becomes overwhelming--approaching or surpassing the level of the country/s GDP?

Austerity Programs are Tricky 
Politicians are programmed to 'gut' response:  at this stage, they institute an austerity programs.  Be it noted, that the IMF is notorious for its attempts at supervising austerity programs it devised for the Latin American countries in the 1980's and 1990's; and today, no countriy in South America wants this organization on its shores!  SA autserity programs were an economic disaster, which, finally, these nations have come out of.  Sometimes, they simply defaulted on the IMF loans, but in all cases that I'm familiar with, the governments to the South abandoned IMF edicts and advice.

Little wonder.  Did not the French Revolution start because the people were sick and fed up with austerity forced upon them by a high-living royalty?  And did not the Germans, burdened with the Dawes Plan etc. committing it to reparations to the victors of WWI, throw off austerity by turning to the Nazis?  Humans find austerity repugnant to the human spirit.

On the contemprary scene, the Greeks have taken to the streets to protest the austerity program forced upon them by the EU.  Interestingly, the ECB (European Central Bank) is supplying eros since these demonstrations, apparently recognizing the limitations of austerity to turn a country's finances around without bringing about violence and bloodshed.  (I argue that the violence does not end under auterity programs until the country is thrown into anarchy.)

The London Riots,  August 9-11, 2011  
With a new conservative goverenment in power, Britain launched its own austerity program to rid the deficit burden.  The basic idea is to eliminate as many social programs as it can and  to weaken the overall safety-net.  Cutting out child-care run by the government, cutting back on senior lunch programs are within ken of its austerity philosophy.

The riots took place in poverty neighborhoods of London and Birmingham, UK's second largest city, and in other industrial towns.  These neighborhoods are ethnically composed largely of Muslims, who have immigrated during the recent Labor government's regime.  Burnings and lootings resembled to some onlookers as "bits...like Berlin or London in World War II" US Today.

Causes cited, e.g., by those at the scene and commentators on-TV, include class warfare between the rich and the poor, because the austerity measures prey heavily on the "deprived," i.e., the poor.  Then, too, on the FOX network news, a British dignitary claimed there had been a lax-hiatus on the part of the police to immediately quell the violence.  He further said had not the Labor government permitted in so many immigrants culturally different from the British, there would have been no turning to the violence as an acceptable means of protest.

In a major address, David Cameron, Prime Minister, attributed the violence to the work of inner-city gangs and kids in these segregated neighborhoods.  He called attention to the looting of stores by mere children as evidence of the presence in Great Britain of a culture that condones violence ("It's a culture that glorifies violence.") and teaches an inferior morality; and he denied the claim by some Labor legislators that the country is in social dysfunction and despair.  From this I derive the opinion that Mr. Cameron decries the Muslim faith.

Could it happen here in the USA?

On the Hannity Talk Show after the Riots, Mitt Romney was asked, "Do you think the riots could happen here?"  Presidential Candidate Romney replied, 'When there's inadequate leadership at the top, riots are a real possibility.'  Evidently, Romney doesn't think much of PM David Cameron's leadership.

Nevertheless, some analysts on these talk shows have noted the patience of the downtrodden.  For instance, up to now the unemployed have not taken to the streets to protest their woeful financial condition.  Yet, with the coming of the end of their unemployment checks, some of these may be motivated to visibly show their indignation.

Already, the blacks, led by Tavis Smiley and Professor West of Princeton University are touring the country's poor neighborhoods to observe their plight but may also be singling out leaders who can unite their communities.  Specifically, any austerity program contemplated by the Tea Party must be countered with resistance, according to these men.

There's a target group the poor have identified in class warfare terms as the source of their problems, be it unemployment or poverty: viz.,  the rich who won't pay their "fair share."  Obama's speeches in which justice is appealed to, have confirmed the rich as the poor man and middle class' warring adversary.

A Better Way to approach Indebtedness

If you look at indebtedness as indicative of a national crisis approaching the magnitude of threatening the very existence of the country, then the rightful approach to handling the problem is akin to dealing with any national emergency:  by mobilizing the country's people to contribute what they severally are trained and skilled to do in order to save the nation.

I contend, deep-pocketed indebtedness must be handled as a state of war.


Be it noted that the Russians in the late 1980's were confronted, I believe, with the gravity of austerity programs.  In my opinion, they acted courageously in giving up the pursuit of an Empire and in embracing the notion of a federation of independent states, each of which must make its contribution to the continuance of the Russian Bear.  Their decision as to how to handle their indebtedness is embodied in the present Russian Constitution.  

Meta-Elements of the Austerity Disaster   

1.  The austerity proposal.  Those who recommend austerity imply 'Austerity, yes; but not for me!'  Accordingly, they seek out groups upon whom to prey.

2.  The accusation of deliberate overspending or pursuing flagrant policies leading to deep indebtedness.  The charges are made and accepted in social parlance.

3.  Austerity measures are undertaken at the expense of a group of individuals deemed philanderers.  The punishment is inflicted, causing great social harm.

4.  Provisions for retaliation.  Those singled out for punishment and deprivation of rights are empowered to retaliate.  Fightings and violence breaks out.

5.  Down the line: anarchy.  Neither side--the imposers nor the imposed upon--give in until death is widespread or the death-knell is silenced.